HC Deb 26 June 1947 vol 439 cc670-1
35. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to enable and encourage local education authorities to set up their own boarding schools and so obviate the necessity of giving grants to send children to private boarding schools.

Mr. Hardman

Local education authorities have been urged in Circular 90 and in Circular 120 to provide boarding schools and accommodation in so far as building facilities and other circumstances allow. I do not regard the use of places in independent boarding schools as an alternative to provision by local education authorities, but as a valuable addition to it.

Mr. Morley

Is it not a fact that very few local education authorities have made provision for boarding schools in their development plans; and has my hon. Friend's Ministry made any representations on that point to the local authorities?

Mr. Hardman

Every development plan is considered solely on its merits. I am not prepared to admit the statement which my hon. Friend has made, because many authorities have, in fact, made some provision for boarding accommodation. Where Ministerial representations are required they will be made.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say how many such boarding schools are already functioning or are in course of construction?

Mr. Hardman

The answer is "None."

Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

Is it not a fact that all building priorities for education up to 1949 are now to meet the raising of the school-leaving age and to reduce the size of classes? Is it not common sense, if boarding school education is to be undertaken at present that the pupils have to be sent to independent schools, although on what basis no one seems to be quite clear?

Mr. Hardman

It is true that priority No. I is in connection with the reduction of classes and the provision of accommodation for those who will remain at school because of the raising of the school-leaving age.

Mr. King

While it is desirable that local education authorities should have boarding schools, and that they should be first-rate, is it not equally desirable that all boarding schools should take some quota of State-aided pupils, so that class segregation shall be diminished as soon as possible? Was not that the unanimous recommendation of the labour and trade union representatives?

Mr. Hardman

I entirely agree with the sentiment expressed.